SAUGUS Your Local News, Sports and Information Online. Scan & Subscribe! Vol. 28, No.5 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday 781-233-4446 Friday, February 6, 2026 CELEBRATING THE SUPER BOWL Running out of Space WIN Waste increases ash shipments to 75 percent this year; company report shows ash landfill could reach capacity in 18 months By Mark E. Vogler W IN Waste Innovations has a remaining capacity of up to a year and a half at the ash landfill near its trash-to-energy plant on Route 107 in East Saugus, based on recent company estimates. “As of the October 18, 2025 topographic survey, the projected site life of the Monofill ranges between 0.42 to 1.5 years based on historic usage,” according to the annual Monofill Progress Report that was filed Jan. 30 with the state Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the town’s Board of Health. “Changes to the actual quantity of ash disposed of at the Monofill or transported off-site WIN WASTE | SEE PAGE 2 A MILESTONE MOMENT SAUGUS SUPER BOWL WARRIORS: Joseph “Dennis” Gould (right) and his wife Janice Gould stand in front of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Feb. 3, 2019, during Super Bowl LIII. It was their 10th Super Bowl trip to cheer on the Patriots. But these diehard Patriots fans will be watching from home on Sunday as their team gets ready to play in another Super Bowl. Please see inside for more photos and Gould’s reflections on the big game. (Courtesy photo to the Saugus Advocate) ~ Home of the Week ~ CANTON 1st OH Sat 2/7, 12-2PM - 5 Trudy Terrace - Bring the whole family to this 10 room, 6 bedroom, 2 ½ bath single family located on a landscaped corner lot w/ sprinkler system, central air, oversized 1 car garage, built-in pool & ½ basketball court. Kitchen offers Granite counter tops & sliders to deck, dining area with custom built-in buffet & wine racks, livingroom w/surround sound, large lower-level family room and half bath - great for parties or just to hanging out. This home features 3 bedrooms and a full bath on the main floor & 3 bedrooms & full bath as part of the addition. Primary bedroom on the second floor offers a large walk-in closet. Newer Oil tank (2007), Furnace in 2009, 2nd floor C/A unit 2017, 1st floor C/A unit, air handler & duct work 2024, Pool pump and filter 2025. Whether you are entertaining inside or out this home does it all! Offered at $899,900 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com Saugus High girls basketball star Peyton DiBiasio launched the shot that made her the all-time leading scorer in Sachems basketball history for girls and boys – breaking a 60-year-old school record. Please see inside for more photos and coverage. (Saugus Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) Established 1978 Mid-grade Regular 2.67 3.37 3.77 $3.47 Full Service ULS $3.649 Order online at angelosoil.com Kerosene Now Available! FLEET CARD Check Out Our LOW PRICES!
Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FrIDAy, FEBrUAry 6, 2026 Celebrating the Super Bowl This Saugus fan will cheer the Patriots from afar at the Super Bowl; Dennis Gould followed the team to the big game for years By Gabriella Galbadis J oseph “Dennis” Gould has been at the New England Patriots’ most iconic moments in Super Bowl history. He was in New Orleans when the Patriots had their very first big win in Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002. He watched Malcolm Butler’s famous game-winning interception in Super Bowl XLIX in 2015 in Arizona. And he was there to witness the team’s overtime comeback in Super Bowl LI in 2017 in Houston. For the past 10 Super Bowl games that the Patriots have WIN WASTE | FROM PAGE 1 will impact the remaining site life,” it noted. WIN Waste Facility Manager Elliott Casey told the Board of Health at its meeting on Monday (Feb. 2) that the company is “planning on 75 percent” shipment of the ash generated by competed in, Gould and his wife, Janice Gould, have made the trip. “Every time the Patriots went to the Super Bowl, I’d look at her and tell her, ‘You know, if they go we go,’ ’’ he said in a recent interview. But this year the Goulds, like most of Saugus, will be watching the Patriots face off against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX at home. Ticket prices for the game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, are upwards of $7,000 — out of reach for the Goulds, who are in their 70s. Still, that won’t stop Gould and the rest of Saugus from the plant offsite to prolong the life of the landfill. Current state environmental regulations do not permit expansion of the ash landfill, which a majority of town officials oppose. Casey this week issued a statement reiterating the company’s position that continued use of the landfill would be a better option than trucking the reveling. At Kane’s Donuts, for instance, the company has been in full Patriots mania since the playoffs. “I’m so happy the Patriots are back in the Super Bowl. It’s been a tough two years for Boston sports not being in a championship,” said Courtney Beaulieu on Saturday after walking out of the Kane’s on Route 1 with her donuts. “Couldn’t be more excited.” Gould has long been a Patriots fan. He’s lived in Saugus his whole life aside from his time serving in active-duty in the military from 1969 to SUPER BOWL | SEE PAGE 3 ash out of town. “We will continue to ship ash and increase the quantity as necessary as we strive to find a solution with the Town on a mutually beneficial plan for continued use of the monofill that keeps thousands of diesel trucks off the road and provides significant financial resources to the town and state.” Board of Health member JoJoseph “Dennis” Gould, left, and his wife, Janice Gould, stand in front of Reliant Stadium in Houston, Tex. wearing New England Patriots attire on Feb. 1, 2004, during Super Bowl XXXVIII. (Courtesy photo of Joseph “Dennis” Gould to The Saugus Advocate) seph Dorant, who presided over the meeting in the absence of the board’s Chair, Maria Tamagna, read excerpts from the highly technical report. From Oct. 11, 2024, to Oct. 18, 2025, about 32,200 cubic yards of disposal capacity were consumed at the Monofill, according to the WIN Waste progress report. As of October 18, 2025, about 33,000 cubic yards of permitted disposal capacity remains at the Monofill. This volume includes ash and operational cover materials. “It looks like you guys put 32,200 cubic yards into the landfill,” Dorant noted. “And there’s approximately 33,000 cubic yards remaining as capacity. So if you were to put the same amount of cubic yards into the landfill this year, as you did last year, probably around October of next year you would reach capacity. Is that safe to say?” WIN Waste representatives acknowledged that is a possibility based on the report’s estimates. The progress report, prepared by Brown and Caldwell, was the 41st in a series of reports submitted to MassDEP during the active life of the Saugus Monofill. It stems from a consent order between Wheelabrator (formerly RESCO) and MassDEP, dated June 29, 1989. The report includes an updated site plan that shows the existing horizontal and vertical configurations, elevations and contours of the Monofill. The capacity and volume analyses contained in this APR are based on the updated site plan, as well as ash tonnages received at the Monofill. WIN Waste began trucking ash to a company disposal site in Shrewsbury in April of 2024.
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FrIDAy, FEBrUAry 6, 2026 Page 3 SUPER BOWL | FROM PAGE 2 1973. Gould has been retired for more than 11 years from his job as a project program director at General Electric, a job he held for 40 years. The couple’s Super Bowl tradition began back in 1990, when Gould got Janice to join him at a Patriots’ game. She enjoyed watching the game as much as he did, so Gould began buying season tickets in 1991. They attended their first Super Bowl in 1997 when the Patriots played the Green Bay Packers. It was the Patriots’ second-ever Super Bowl appearance, and they lost. The couple stayed in a hotel near the Louisiana Superdome for about a week, since prices were much more affordable at the time. The trip cost them roughly $800 each. That included the game tickets, hotel, and their commute, Gould recalled. “We were on TV because we were one of the few Patriots fans there,’’ said Gould. “The back Tom Brady’s Super Bowl wins during his 20-season career with the Patriots. For the vast majority of their Super Bowl trips, it was just Dennis and Janice. “We went by ourselves which was great. We loved it,” Gould recalled. The Super Bowl tickets were always expensive, even for a Patriots season ticket holder like Gould. He said he never had an opportunity to purchase those tickets at face value. “Go Patriots” donuts are displayed at Kane’s Donuts, 120 Lincoln Ave., in Saugus. (Gabriella Galbadis photo to The Saugus Advocate) Packers had a lot of fans, but the Patriots didn’t.” Gould has many highlights from his years of attending the Super Bowl. He and Janice watched the Patriots defeat the St. Louis Rams at the Louisiana Superdome in 2002. He fondly remembers hearing the Boston Pops, the Creedence Clearwater Revival, and U2 play as part of the many special tributes to 9/11. At Super Bowl XLIX in 2015 at the University of Phoenix Stadium, he got a “rush” from Butler’s famous game-winning play against the Seattle Seahawks. And in 2017, Gould stood in NRG Stadium at Super Bowl LI when the Patriots chargedback from a 25-3 deficit with 8:31 left in the third quarter to defeat the Atlanta Falcons 3428 in overtime. That game became the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history. Gould witnessed all six of legendary Patriots quarterSeason ticket holders get the chance to enter a lottery to purchase tickets at face value, but there are few winners. “This year, I got about 66 chances to win, but we’ve never won the lottery in 30-something years and 11 Super Bowls now,” said Gould. He has had to buy the tickets at a higher price each time. On average, the Goulds would spend about $15,000, including all travel expenses for each Super Bowl trip. One time it SUPER BOWL | SEE PAGE 4 Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FrIDAy, FEBrUAry 6, 2026 Saugus native Matt Rubner builds statewide legal practice while staying rooted in his hometown F or Attorney Matt Rubner, Saugus is more than the place he grew up — it is where generations of his family have lived, worked and built their lives. Matt comes from a long line of Saugus residents, with family roots in the town stretching back to his great-great-grandparents. His mother continues to live in Saugus and is a graduate of Saugus High School, as is his sister. Matt attended elementary school in town at the former Oaklandvale Elementary School, and he says Saugus has always remained central to who he is. Growing up, Matt spent his time playing Saugus Little League, traveling Route 1 with his family and sharing meals at longtime local institutions, such as Kowloon and the late If We Happen To Meet By Accident ... You’ll Be Glad You Found Us! There is a difference between the rest and the BEST! Celebrating 46 Years In Business! TONY’S AUTO BODY Call or Visit 781-321-0032 34 Sharon Street Malden, MA 02148 TONYSAUTOBODYLLC.COM COME VISIT OUR STATE OF THE ART BODY SHOP • Computerized Paint Matching (State of the Art Spray Booth) • Computerized Frame Machines • P.P.G. Refinishing System • R134 + 1234yf A/C Machines Fully Insured -RS2415 Insurance Company Approval ALL OUR WORK IS GUARANTEED! TONY BARTOLO Owner 46 Years Let Us Handle Your Next Insurance Claim. Go With the BEST It Doesn’t Get BETTER! RENTAL CARS Available Hilltop Steak House, once a premier gathering place for families across the North Shore. “Those places were part of everyday life in Saugus,” Matt said. “They’re where a lot of memories were made.” Today, Matt is a successful personal injury attorney, representing clients throughout the North Shore and Greater Boston in cases involving car accidents, pedestrian injuries and premises liability. While his legal practice has expanded statewide, he continues to focus on representing residents from Saugus and the surrounding North Shore communities. Matt’s work has earned professional recognition across Massachusetts. He has been named to the 2026 Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, an honor awarded to attorneys under the age of 40 and limited to less than 2.5 percent of lawyers nationwide. The selection process includes peer nominations, independent research and evaluation of professional achievement. So far this year locally, Matt secured a six-figure personal injury recovery on behalf of an elderly Saugus resident who suffered a serious injury in a retail store along Route 1. The case involved allegations of unsafe conditions on the property and required extensive litigation and hard-fought negotiations to resolve. In addition to that matter, Matt has handled multiple other six-figure injury cases and has been involved in resolving million-dollar personal injury claims during his career. “Accidents can change someone’s life in an instant,” Matt said. “Especially for older residents, an injury can affect independence, health, and financial seSUPER BOWL | FROM PAGE 3 was $18,000, he said. He said he was able to save up the money, thanks to his “great job” at GE and his drive to keep the tradition alive. But now that he’s retired and on a fixed income, traveling to the Super Bowl to see his beloved Patriots became out of Matthew Rubner Attorney-At-Law curity. It’s important that people understand their rights and have their cases evaluated carefully, with strong advocacy on their side.” Matt said that belief is deeply personal for him. More than a decade ago, his family lost his brother in a crash caused by a drunk driver. The experience pushed him toward the law and shaped his commitment to fighting for injured victims and their families, as well as holding negligent parties accountable. Matt’s practice focuses on personal injury matters, including motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian injuries, slip-and-fall cases and other negligence claims. He emphasizes direct attorney involvement and thorough case preparation in each matter he handles. Despite professional success, Matt says his connection to Saugus remains strong. “This town shaped my values,” he said. “Blue-collar hard work, fairness, and looking out for people — those lessons started here.” More information about Matt’s practice is available at https:// www.injuryfirmboston.com or by calling 978-394-0347. reach. “I’m gonna miss this one, though … unfortunately,” he said. Even though they won’t be making the trip to the Super Bowl this year, Gould has found ways to show up for the Patriots. He attended the recent Patriots’ playoff games in Foxborough. He watched the SUPER BOWL | SEE PAGE 11
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FrIDAy, FEBrUAry 6, 2026 Page 5 Pioneer Charter School of Science I & II honored as Schools of Recognition for high academic achievement Everett-based PCSS I and Saugus-based PCSS II were among 55 Schools of recognition statewide to be honored at a State House ceremony Pioneer Charter School of Science staff posed with Certificates of Recognition and an Official Citation from the State Senate at the State House ceremony. (Photo Courtesy of Pioneer Charter School of Science) Special to The Advocate P ioneer Charter School of Science (PCSS) was proud to announce that both its Everett and Saugus campuses were named Schools of Recognition by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for demonstrating high achievement, significant improvement and/or high growth. PCSS I & II were among 55 schools honored by the state out of over 1,800 public schools in Massachusetts. At a State House ceremony honoring the schools, public officials, including Governor Maura Healey and Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler, praised the schools for their academic excellence and vital roles in their communities. “This honor is a testament to what is possible when high expectations, dedication, and a shared commitment to student success come together,” said PCSS CEO Barish Icin. “I am incredibly proud of our educators, staff, students and families for creating a culture where excellence is the standard.” Through a rigorous curriculum with an emphasis on STEM and the humanities, PCSS prepares students for excellence in any path they choose. This recognition reflects the school’s sustained effort to high academic standards, meaningful learning experiences, and outcomes that position students for success in both college and career. About Pioneer Charter School of Science PCSS is a rigorous college preparatory charter school that aims to prepare educationally under-resourced students for today’s competitive world. PCSS I, which is located in Everett, serves students in Grades K through 12 from several communities north of Boston, including Everett, Chelsea, and Revere. PCSS II, which is located in Saugus, serves students in Grades K through 12 from communiBirthdays are special at the Senior Center (Editor’s Note: Saugus Senior Center Director Laurie Davis submitted the following article.) T he Saugus Senior Center recently hosted our first birthday celebration of 2026, honoring 14 wonderful seniors born in January. It was a fun and joyful afternoon and a great way to start the year. A special thank you to Kathleen Murphy for her generous sponsorship of our January birthday celebration. Cathy gave this gift in loving memory of her siblings, Teddy and Sheila. Kathy, we are so grateful for your kindness and generosity. The Senior Center likes to recognize a senior’s birthday on the last Friday of the month with a collective celeJANUARY BIRTHDAYS: The Saugus Senior Center recognized 14 seniors who celebrated their birthdays collectively at the Senior Center last month. Pictured from left to right: Front row: Ron Visconti, Geoffrey Trainor, Kheng Kith, Cathy McCarthy, Louise Hoyt, Dan McNeil, Mark DiGregorio, Connie Mirasolo and Tony Misiano; back row: Betty Pauley, Ted Pollack, Ralph Littlefield, Sonny Dall and Lori Arsenault. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) bration. Each birthday recipient receives a free pizza lunch, cake, ice cream and a souvenir group photo. If anyone would like to sponsor a birthday in honor of someone special, please stop by the office and let us know. PLEASANT ST. TAX 175 Pleasant Street, Malden Specializing in Personal Income Tax Preparation Starting at $90. Call: (781) 324-6195 Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 ties including Saugus, Salem, Peabody, Lynn and Danvers.
Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FrIDAy, FEBrUAry 6, 2026 Peyton’s Place: No. 1 on the all-time Saugus basketball scoring list Saugus senior breaks Winn’s 60-year-old record By Dom Nicastro P eyton DiBiasio didn’t know the shot would be historic when it left her hands. It felt routine. Necessary. Another possession in a tight game where space was disappearing and time was starting to press. But when the ball dropped through the net late in the fourth quarter Thursday night, Jan. 29, at home against Winthrop, it carried far more weight than the scoreboard suggested. With that basket — her 17th point of the night — the Saugus senior became the all-time leading scorer in Saugus High School basketball history, boys or girls, finishing with 1,611 career points to pass Alex Winn, whose record had stood since 1966. It was Classic Peyton: a calm dribble across the court, from left to right, taking advantage of picks from teammates Shawn Sewell and Natalie Justice to create all the room she needed for a 3-pointer. It’s good. Back of the net. “The historic bucket to me was just like any other bucket,” said DiBiasio, who started with the Sachems as an eighth grader. “I wasn’t shooting that great so I was attacking mostly getting to the hoop and getting fouled, picking up most of my points from the line.” Winthrop edged Saugus, 38–31, but the moment cut through the result. DiBiasio reached the number she needed exactly when she needed it, on a play she’s grown comfortable with over time. “With my game, I usually find myself shooting better when I’m in tempo so a dribble cross off a screen is a go-to for me,” she said. “I was getting guarded pretty closely all night, and as I was getting closer to the record, the space to shoot was getting smaller and smaller, so to come off a double screen from Shawn and Natalie was huge to get a nice open look at breaking the record.” When the ball went in, the realization hit. “Then seeing it go through the net just kind of shocked me a little as I realized that I finally did it,” she said. “With less than two minutes left in the fourth, it was starting to get stressful, but I didn’t let up because I knew my team had my back.” The celebration was immediate — teammates, family, fans rising together — but the night was far from over. “So to finally hit that shot and see my teammates going crazy and even my family and the rest of our fans standing up cheering I felt a sense of relief, but I was hyped,” DiBiasio said. “It was still a close game so I was set on trying to go and pull out the win, too.” Thirty seconds later, chasing a steal down four, DiBiasio collided head-to-head with an opposing player. She split her eyebrow open and needed eight stitches. “Didn’t end up getting the outcome I hoped for, but I was still proud of myself for reaching this milestone and didn’t regret a thing,” she said. “I left it all out there and did everything I could to help my team. Was a fortunate but unfortunate night, though it was still special. I was super grateful to have had such an amazing support system with me along the way of this incredible and long journey of mine.” For DiBiasio, the record wasn’t an accident or a surprise. It was something she’s been chasing for years. “The milestone of becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer has been a goal of mine for as long as I can remember,” she said. “It’s something I’ve worked towards almost all my life, all the hard work and countless hours in the gym has finally paid off.” The weight of the number mattered, too — especially knowing how long it stood. Winn led the Essex County Shown from left to right, are: cousin Frank Vigliotta, aunt Alycia Cali, cousin Luciano Vigliotta, sister Dr. Justine DiBiasio, mother, Jennifer DiBiasio, player Peyton DiBiasio, brother, Ron DiBiasio Jr., sister, Ariana DiBiasio, father, Ron DiBiasio Sr. and grandmother, Sheila Cali. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) League in scoring for three straight years for the Sachems. Winn also was a key player on Saugus High’s 1965 baseball team that finished as Essex County League Champions. He played right field and batted .465. He was the second leading career scorer at Dartmouth College when he graduated. He was drafted by the Detroit Pistons. “Alex Winn was an incredible player, and he set the bar high as his record has stood strong for 60 years,” DiBiasio said. “Many players have gone in and out of Saugus and managed to be unsuccessful in the attempt of catching up to him. So for me to not only have caught up but to have broken his record is very special to me and something I value a lot.” That sense of legacy isn’t abstract for DiBiasio. She knows younger players are watching. “As I looked up to Alex, I know there are a lot of kids who look up to me, and I want to continue being that role model for them,” she said. The path to 1,611 didn’t happen overnight. After reaching 1,000 points last season — and breaking Norma Waggett’s program record for girls in the process — DiBiasio went into the offseason knowing what was next. “After finishing last season scoring 1,000 and breaking Norma Waggett’s record, I knew that Alex Winn’s record was next,” she said. “He was at the top, and I knew I had to beat him to be at the top.” The work followed. “Getting in the weight room and getting a lot of reps and shots up this summer was very key in the growth of my game,” DiBiasio said. “Knowing how I get guarded each game, scoring does not come easy at all.” Defenses have only tightened as her profile has grown, especially after earning conference MVP honors last season. “Every team focuses extra on me,” she said. “So slightly different approach coming into games this year has just been to make sure teams aren’t stopping me from playing my game and that I can still go out on the court and be able to dominate whenever to help my team.” Saugus returned to action Monday night, Feb. 2, against Danvers. DiBiasio added five points in a 47–19 loss as the Sachems slipped to 4–10 on the season, pushing her total even further beyond a record that once seemed untouchable. Now, with the milestone behind her, DiBiasio’s focus has shifted back to what remains. “After officially breaking the DiBiasio is shown with the ceremonial ball to commemorate breaking the school record on Thursday night. record in Thursday’s game, I’ve had a weight lifted off my shoulders, giving me some relief that now I can breathe a little,” she said. “Even though the season’s not over yet, I still have big goals for our team as we are also chasing our fourth conference title in a row.” Beyond basketball, DiBiasio’s schedule won’t slow down. She’ll return to track this spring, while weighing college options in marketing communications and sports media. “You only get one high school career in your life, and I want to make it count,” she said. “With all the success I’ve had in my years so far I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to have reached the milestones I have and hope to continue expanding on my record.” Saugus High School basketball all-time leading scorers 2021-2026: Peyton DiBiasio, 1,616 (as of Feb. 3) 1962-1966: Alex Winn: 1,610 1998-2002: Kyle Sucharewicz: 1,180 2010-2014: Joe Bertrand: 1,141 2010-2014: Norma Waggett: 1,110 1997-2001: Jen Salas: 1,109 1979-1983: Pam Thornton, 1,080 2016-2020: Christian Correia 1,038 2007-2011: Omar Benabicha: 1,016
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FrIDAy, FEBrUAry 6, 2026 Page 7 ~ SHS Sachems Winter Sports roundup ~ CHAMPIONSHIPS, CLUTCH PLAYS AND MOMENTUM BUILDING By Dom Nicastro W inter sports at Saugus High School continue to gain traction as February has arrived, highlighted by a historic wrestling season, clutch performances on the basketball court, growing confidence on the ice and podium finishes on the track. WRESTLING: A PERFECT SEASON DEFINED BY DEPTH The Saugus–Peabody wrestling team delivered one of the most complete seasons in program history, capturing both the Northeastern Conference dual meet championship at 19-0 and the Northeastern Conference/Cape Ann League tournament team championship. That dominance showed clearly in conference dual meets. In a 57–6 win over Quincy Upper, Saugus–Peabody piled up bonus points early and often, with Jake Murray of Saugus earning a pin at 126 pounds, followed by pins from Jackson Deleidi of Peabody at 132, Casey Medeiros of Peabody at 138, Lukas Fondulis of Saugus at 144, Jose Carrillo of Saugus at 215 and Matthew Dresser of Peabody at heavyweight. Cesar Cruz of Saugus added a decision win at 165 to round out the rout. The team followed with a 54–21 victory over Danvers, again controlling the match across the lineup. Giana Caceto of Peabody picked up a decision at 106; Camdyn Lanning of Peabody recorded a tech fall at 113; and Deleidi added another tech fall at 132. Medeiros and Fondulis both secured pins, while Michael Maraio of Peabody, Justin Bremberg of Saugus, Cruz and Jaden Ceac of Peabody all ended their matches early with falls to lock up the dual. The season-long dominance translated seamlessly to the NEC/CAL tournament, where Saugus–Peabody placed 12 of 14 wrestlers and ran away with the team title. Individual champions included Deleidi, Maraio, Bremberg, Cruz and Ceac. Reaching the finals were Fondulis, JJ Figueroa of Peabody and Dresser, while additional podium finishes came from Lanning and Murray. Placing efforts from Chris Brown of Peabody and Tucker Landry of Saugus further showed the depth that fueled both championships and the undefeated run. BOYS BASKETBALL: RESILIENCE AND LATEGAME EXECUTION The Saugus boys basketball team continues to show growth and composure, earning a pair of key wins through balanced scoring and clutch play. The Sachems picked up a 55–44 road victory at Winthrop behind a steady team effort. Ryan Shea led the way with 22 points, while Ryan Dupuy added 14 ALL DEPOSITS ARE INSURED IN FULL. Grab this rate before it’s gone! LOCK-IN TODAY: 4.00% APY*24-Month CD *Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of the date posted and is subject to change without notice. APY assumes the interest remains on deposit until maturity. A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. A minimum of $500 is required to open a Certificate of Deposit and earn the advertised APY. 419 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 771 SALEM ST. LYNNFIELD, MA 01940 617-387-1110 781-776-4444 331 MONTVALE AVE. WOBURN, MA 01801 781-281-9092 EVERETTBANK.COM MEMBER FDIC | MEMBER DIF John Morello of Saugus recorded a fourpoint night against Winthrop. (Advocate file photos) and Kam Conroy chipped in seven as Saugus controlled the game down the stretch. That confidence carried into a dramatic 60–57 home win over Danvers. With eight seconds remaining, Conroy buried a go-ahead three-pointer to seal the victory. Huey Josama paced the offense with 17 points, followed by Dupuy with 15, Shea with 11, Conroy with nine, Jordan Rodriguez with six and Paxton Ferraro with two. The win pushed Saugus to 6–7 heading into the final stretch of the season. BOYS HOCKEY: CONFIDENCE BUILDING The Peabody–Saugus–Swampscott boys hockey team continues to trend upward as the season progresses, pairing competitive efforts with a decisive win. PSS dropped a tight 3–1 decision to defending state champion Winthrop, staying within one goal until the final Saugus’s Jake Kelley, who is shown battling Everett last month, scored on a rebound during their recent battle against Winthrop. minute. Jake Kelly of Saugus scored on a rebound, while Dom Pappalardo of Swampscott delivered a standout performance in net. “We were with them the whole game, and they ended up scoring their third with a minute left,” said PSS coach Donnie Shaw. “It definitely gives us some confidence entering the final part of our season with a lot of opportunity to win games.” That effort was followed by a convincing 7–1 win over Somerville. Evan Tybinkowski of Peabody was solid between the pipes as PSS controlled play ROUNDUP | SEE PAGE 13
Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FrIDAy, FEBrUAry 6, 2026 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus If you are a Boston sports fan or just love watching pro football, Sunday will probably be a big day to be with family and friends as you host or attend a Super Bowl party. Some folks like to tune in just for the commercials. Most of the Saugonians who will be watching are New England Patriots fans who will be rooting their hearts out Sunday night as they watch their favorite team play the Seattle Seahawks for the NFL title. Weather permitting, I will watch the game at home with my brother Wayne and a few friends. We are longtime Pats season ticket holders who have been to close to 300 games together since the early 1990s. We have never been to a Super Bowl and would rather watch it at home and invest the money we would have spent on the game on next year’s tickets. For what it’s worth, I’m picking the underdog Pats to win by a field goal or touchdown. I picked them to win about nine games this year and possibly make the playoffs. But once they made the playoffs, I picked them to win all three games. What a remarkable season that was unexpected and has brought great joy to thousands of fans across New England. Go Patriots! It looks like School Committee Member Joseph “Dennis” Gould may be one of the most passionate Patriots fans in town when it comes to rooting for his team in person. He’s been to 10 consecutive Super Bowls that Patriots have played in. Dennis will be watching it from home this year. Please check out the excellent feature story written by BU student journalist Gabriella Galbadis on this Saugus Super Patriots fan in this week’s paper. Gabriella got in the Super Bowl mood this week by visiting both Kane’s Donuts shops in Saugus to check out those Super Bowl-themed donuts that Kane’s are famous for and to sample the mood of local Pats fans. MAKING SACHEMS SPORTS HISTORY: Local sports fans who didn’t get to watch Saugus High School girls basketball star Peyton DiBiasio set the all-time career scoring record (for girls and boys) last week (Jan. 29) can watch it on SaugusTV, which filmed the game and captured the moment with this record-breaking shot. (Courtesy photo provided by Saugus TV video production specialist Clark Moulaison) Saugus United Parish Food Pantry The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, Feb. 6) from 9:30-11 a.m. at 50 Essex St. in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church. The food pantry welcomes all neighbors facing food insecurity on Friday mornings. Volunteers are also welcome. Please call the Food Pantry Office at 781-2332663 or go to the website (cliftondalecc.org) for details. Legion Breakfast on Fridays There’s a good breakfast deal for Saugus veterans and other folks who enjoy a hearty breakfast on Friday mornings. The American Legion Post 210 at 44 Taylor St. in Saugus offers Friday morning breakfasts for the 2026 season. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., with breakfast served from 8-9:00 a.m. for an $8 donation. Veterans who cannot afford the donation may be served free. This week’s “Shout Outs” Saugus Senior Center Director Laurie Davis offered these words of praise for all involved in the cleanup of the recent snowstorm: “A ‘shout out’ to Town Manager Scott Crabtree, Jeannie Meredith, Brendan O’Regan, The DPW, Dana Marshall and the entire team who worked tirelessly to clear the Saugus Senior Center! Dealing with that much snow was no small feat. Thanks to all their hard work the seniors can move, walk, and park around the center safely and easily. We truly appreciate them looking out for our community.” Want to “Shout Out” a fellow Saugonian? This is an opportunity for our paper’s readers to single out – in a brief mention – remarkable acts or achievements by Saugus residents or an act of kindness or a nice gesture. Just send an email (mvoge@comcast. net) with a mention in the subject line of “An Extra Shout Out.” No more than a paragraph; anything longer might lend itself to a story and/or a photo. SRWC Annual Meeting on Feb. 23 The Saugus River Watershed Council has rescheduled its Annual Dinner Meeting to Monday, Feb. 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the Marina at The Wharf (543 North Shore Rd. in Revere). The Sunday/ Monday snowstorm led to the cancellation of the original dinner meeting. This is being billed as a fun night with stewardship awards, silent auctions and raffles. Steve Fantone will present the keynote presentation and wildlife slide show. Those who attend the annual meeting can also learn about the new Rumney Marsh Conservancy. Tickets cost $35. For details, go to www.saugusriver.org. Sideshow Tony at library tomorrow At 11 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 7), the Saugus Public Library welcomes back magician and music man Tony Gangi. Step back in time for a one-of-a-kind performance that blends music, history and magic. Tony Gangi of Great American Street Organ brings a beautifully restored, handcranked organ to life, filling the air with lively melodies while sharing fascinating stories about the history of these remarkable instruments. As the tunes play, Tony weaves in moments of wonder with clever feats of magic, surprising audiences of all ages. Part concert, part storytelling and part magical spectacle, this immersive experience celebrates the charm of old-world music and the joy of live performance in a truly unforgettable way. The fashions of Downton Abbey tomorrow Saugus residents who love “Downton Abbey” will have a special treat at the Saugus Public Library on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 1:30-3 p.m. in the Community Room. Join us for an informative presentation about the lives and fashions of the residents of Downton Abbey. Travel with us through time while we explore the styles of 1912 through the 1920s. Presenting the program will be Karen Antonowicz of Spirits of Fashion. Register online at sauguspubliclibrary.org. Teen Creative Writing Group meets Feb. 9 Teenagers who want to get creative are welcome to join the Teen Creative Writing Program being offered at the Saugus Public Library at 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9, in the Brooks Room on the second floor. You can work on any creative writing project, such as a story, novel or poem. No registration required. This program is suitable for fifth graders and up. For details, please contact Rachel Huntington, the Reference and Young Adult Librarian, at 781-231-4168 or rhuntington@noblenet.org Pre-K Parent Information Night – Feb. 12 Here’s a chance for new parents to learn about the School Department’s preschool programming. Saugus Public Schools will host a Pre-K Parent Information Night on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 6 p.m. at the Veterans Early Learning Center (39 Hurd Ave.). These issues will be addressed: the Preschool Vision, Entering the Lottery, the Registration Process, Financial Obligations, Daily Operations, Parent Questions and Registration Documents. Based on your child’s birth date, they will be placed in one of the following programs: • three-year-old AM (8:30 SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 9
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FrIDAy, FEBrUAry 6, 2026 Page 9 THE SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.) or threeyear-old PM (12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.) – DOB between 9/1/2022 and 8/31/2023 • four-year-old (8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) – DOB between: 9/1/2021 and 8/31/2022 All pre-k programs run Monday through Friday. (Please note: Wednesdays are early release days.) For more information, please call Christine Moreschi at 781-231-8166. This month’s Fireside Chats at Breakheart Speakers for the Fireside Chats held on Saturdays at 10 a.m. at Breakheart Reservation in the Visitors’ Center (177 Forest St., Saugus) are as follows: Feb.7: Julie Martin, director of visitor engagement and programs, and Ryan Hutton, digital strategist. Feb. 14: Amelia Zani, State Lands Management forestry assistant. Feb. 21: Sean Riley, stewardship research biologist, and Lis Kernana, shorebird protection coordinator. Feb. 28: JP Patton, staff archeologist, and Leah Hopkins, indigenous peoples partnership coordinator. Fireside Chats require no walking, just sitting inside with a cozy fire! SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 11 NO TAX ON OVERTIME F or calendar year’s 2025 through 2028 you may be able to take a deduction of up to $12,500 of qualified overtime pay if filing single or head of household, and up to $25,000 for a married couple filing a joint income tax return. This deduction is phased out once a single person’s modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds $150,000 and once a married couple’s MAGI exceeds $300,000. This new tax provision was part of the July 4, 2025, Big Beautiful Bill enacted by Congress. The deduction is not available for a married taxpayer filing separately. Any overtime pay that is offset by this deduction is still subject to social security taxes. You also need a valid social security number issued to you prior to the due date of your 2025 1040. Just like in the case of the “no tax on tips” deduction, this is a below the line deduction on your Form 1040, meaning you deduct it against your income after you take your standard deduction or your itemized deductions, whichever is higher. this example, the deduction would be $5,000. The IRS is giving employers If you were paid $30 per hour for all of your overtime hours and your regular hourly rate was $20 per hour, the additional $10 per hour would be considered the overtime premium and would therefore be eligible for the deduction. In this example, you were paid time and a half as an overtime rate. The overtime rate is equal to fifty percent of your regular hourly rate. Typically, you would have to work more than 40 hours in the work week to qualify for overtime pay. So, if you had 500 hours of actual overtime, you would multiply 500 hours x $10 to arrive at the amount of your deduction. In until the 2026 W-2 filing season to report in a separate box on the W-2 the amount of overtime earnings. Therefore, the actual overtime pay reported on your 2026 W-2 form will form the basis of the maximum amount of overtime deduction you will be able to claim on your 2026 tax return. This deduction is claimed on the 2025 Schedule 1-A as part of your 1040. This year might be more difficult to determine your actual overtime hours worked. You might have to resort to your final paystub for calendar year 2025 to see if your employer has separated the overtime hours. You would also have to determine the overtime premium to be applied to those hours in order to calculate the deduction. Joseph D. Cataldo is an estate planning/elder law attorney, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a masters degree in taxation. Savvy Senior What You Should Know by Jim Miller About Prepaid Funeral Plans Dear Savvy Senior, I have been thinking about planning my funeral in advance so my kids won’t have to later but would like to inquire about prepaying. Is it a good idea to prepay for a funeral that you might not need for a while? Aging Annie Dear Annie, Planning your funeral in advance is definitely a smart move. Not only does it give you time to make a thoughtful decision on the type of service you want, it also allows you to shop around to find a good funeral provider, and it will spare your adult children the burden of making these decisions at an emotional time. But preplanning a funeral doesn’t mean you have to prepay too. In fact, the Funeral Consumer Alliance, a national nonprofit funeral consumer protection organization, doesn’t recommend it unless you need to spend down your financial resources so you can qualify for Medicaid. Here’s what you should know. Preneed Arrangements Most funeral homes today offer what is known as “preneed plans” which allow you to prearrange for the type of funeral services you want and prepay with a lump sum or through installments. The funeral home either puts your money in a trust fund with the payout triggered by your death or buys an insurance policy naming itself as the beneficiary. If you’re interested in this route, make sure you’re being guaranteed the services you specify at the contracted price. Some contracts call for additional payments for final expense funding, which means that if the funeral home’s charges increase between the time you sign up and the time you sign off, somebody will have to pay the difference. Here are some additional questions you should ask before committing: Can you cancel the contract and get a full refund if you change your mind? Will your money earn interest? If so, how much? Who gets it? If there is an insurance policy involved, is there a waiting period before it takes effect? How long? Are the prices locked in or will an additional payment be required at the time of death? Are you protected if the funeral home goes out of business or if it’s bought out by another company? What happens if you move? Can the plan be transferred to another funeral home in a different state? If there’s money left over after your funeral, will your heirs get it, or does the home keep it? If you decide to prepay, be sure to get all the details of the agreement in writing and give copies to your family so they know what’s expected. If they aren’t aware that you’ve made plans, your wishes may not be carried out. And if they don’t know that you’ve prepaid the funeral costs, they could end up paying for the same arrangements. Other Payment Option While prepaying your funeral may seem like a convenient way to go, from a financial point of view, there are better options available. For example, if you have a life insurance policy, many policies will pay a lump sum when you die to your beneficiaries to be used for your funeral expenses. The payment is made soon after you die and doesn’t have to go through probate. Or you could set up a payableon-death (or POD) account at your bank or credit union, naming the person you want to handle your arrangements as the beneficiary. POD accounts also are called Totten Trusts. With this type of account, you maintain control of your money, so you can tap the funds in an emergency, collect the interest and change the beneficiary. When you die, your beneficiary collects the balance without the delay of probate. Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070. Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FrIDAy, FEBrUAry 6, 2026 Saugus Gardens in the Winter Here’s what’s blooming in town this week to make your walks more enjoyable By Laura Eisener - LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Essex Division Docket No. ES25C0467CA In the matter of: Miriam San Dimas Herrera CITATION ON PETITION TO CHANGE NAME A Petition to Change Name of Adult has been filed by Miriam San Dimas Herrera of Saugus, MA requesting that the court enter a Decree changing their name to: Miriam San Dimas Castro. IMPORTANT NOTICE Any person may appear for the purposes of objecting to the petition by filing an appearance at: 36 Federal St., Salem, MA 01970 before 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 02/10/2026. This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance if you object to this proceeding. WITNESS, Hon. Frances M. Giordano, First Justice of this Court. Date: January 12, 2026 PAMELA CASEY O’BRIEN REGISTER OF PROBATE February 06, 2026 I t comes as no surprise that we can expect six more weeks of winter, given the cold temperatures we have experienced during the last few weeks. A benefit of the deep snow is the insulation it provides for the ground surface, and for the leaf and flower buds waiting for spring on the branches. February is always a challenging month for birds and other wildlife given that by this time many of the fruits and seeds our gardens provide have already been eaten or have become unavailable, having been buried by snow or hidden by fallen leaves and soil. Birds have the advantage of being able to fly above the snow cover and search for fruit hanging on trees and shrubs. Robins have been seen gathering in the trees and shrubs around the Saugus Iron Works, feasting on some of the winterberry (Ilex verticillata) a n d o t h e r SPECIAL OFFER Safety. Style. Stress-Free Installation. CALL NOW 1.877.357.6691 FREE Fixtures and FREE Shower Door Add’l terms apply. Offer subject to change and vary by dealer. Cannot be combined with other offers. Expires 3/31/26. fruits that remain. Tuesday, February 3, was “Feed the Birds Day” and gardeners who have feeders out this month will be likely to have a lot of birds to count next week, Feb. 1316. I notice a lot more darkeyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) around my feeders recently than last year, and the flocks of blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata) and American goldfinches (Spinus tristis) have grown as well. Because of the cold temperatures, I have been putting out more suet cakes than usual, but the gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) have already foiled my efforts twice. I reinforced the closures on the suet cake holders with twist ties and string, but a squirrel has managed to untie or gnaw through the extra “locks” twice so far since the first snowstorm, carrying the nearly whole cakes in their mouths up the maple tree. Other squirrels and a few birds have tried to grab their share, forcing the squirrel to carry the prize into some evergreens to make them a bit less readily accessible. Squirrels have been jumping from tree to tree, although they are able to run around in the snow without sinking all the way in. The lingering snow has made walking around town somewhat more challenging — not only is it necessary Visitors to the Saugus Public Library this spring can look forward to this new seed library on the second floor that is expected to be running by April. (Photo courtesy of Lisa LeJeune) to add many layers to combat the cold and wind, but high snow piles at street corners make watching for traffic more difficult everywhere in the Northeast. At the Saugus Iron Works, usually a popular location for dog-walkers and others who enjoy the peaceful grounds, a few paths have been plowed. The roofs of the buildings and the waterwheels still have their coatGARDENS | SEE PAGE 11 Birds like this male cardinal appreciated seeds provided by homeowners as the deep snow covered seeds on the ground this week. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener)
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FrIDAy, FEBrUAry 6, 2026 Page 11 SUPER BOWL | FROM PAGE 4 AFC Championship last week at his house in Saugus, and even though he described it as a strange game, he said the outcome was obviously awesome. Other Saugus residents are displaying their passion for their home team before the game on Sunday. At Kane’s Donuts in Saugus the Patriots fever was on full view in the display cases where donuts, decorated with red, white, and blue had writings like “Go Patriots” or “I love Drake Maye” on them. One of the Kane’s Donuts owners, Peter Delios, said they have challenged Raised Doughnuts & Cakes in Seattle to a wager based on Sunday’s game. If the Patriots win, Delios said, Raised must send a dozen of their best donuts to GARDENS | FROM PAGE 10 ings of snow, and icicles hang from the roof edges. The Saugus River, which is tidal up to this point and therefore contains some salt water and has varying depths throughout the day, has frozen over and been covered with snow, so in some places it is hard to tell where the water ends and the ground begins. It is challenging for the birds whose diet consists of fish or wetland plants that are not accessible in the frozen river, so they have flown off to warmer locations for the time being. THE SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 9 Pen to Paper writing workshop The library’s monthly “Pen to Paper” writing workshop – led by Laura Eisener – which usually takes place on the third Tuesday of each month, will be held on the fourth Tuesday, February 24, for this month only so as not to conflict with Mardi Gras and Chinese New Year events. The writing workshop is held in the Brooks Room at 6:30-7:30 p.m. and is free and open to any writers who would like to participate, no preregistration required. This and other “We are very excited that the Patriots are going to the Super Bowl because they haven’t been alive for a Patriots Super Bowl yet,” Rushfirth said, referring to her children. Rushfirth said that her sons’ grandfather is a huge Patriots fan so they will be spending the Super Bowl with their grandparents. Beaulieu, another Kane’s patron, praised quarterback The exterior of Kane’s Donuts at 120 Lincoln Ave. in Saugus. (Gabriella Galbadis photo to the Saugus Advocate) Kane’s and vice versa. This bet is part of a series of “donut-football” wagers Kane’s has been making, which also challenged shops in Los Angeles and Denver during the playoffs. Anyone warming up in the library may have noticed a new addition inside that offers a lot of promise for the spring. Up on the second floor is a new seed library. Head Reference Librarian Lisa LeJeune came up with this idea after hearing about them at a few other libraries. Lisa says, “We are starting this Seed Library so that people can take free seeds and start their own home gardens/ container gardens. We will have flower, herb, and vegetable seeds. Patrons may take up to 5 packets of seeds, and patrons can help themselves.” events are listed on the library’s website Events calAn “I Love Drake Maye” donut is displayed at Kane’s Donuts, 120 Lincoln Ave., in Saugus. (Gabriella Galbadis photo to The Saugus Advocate) Katherine Rushfirth sat in the Kane’s on 120 Lincoln Ave. with her two sons, Benjamin, 3, and Henry, 6, who were enjoying a Patriots-decorated donut. The seed library is located at the top of the stairs on the second floor, not far from the shelves of gardening books. For those gardeners who would like to donate seeds to the seed library, they can be storebought packets or seeds harvested from home gardens. Seeds from home gardens must be dry, packaged in a small envelope and labeled. Seed donations can be given to Lisa LeJeune, or left at the Reference desk for Lisa. It will be “up and running” in April, as the ground begins to thaw out, giving us something new to look forward to this spring. endar: https://www.sauguspubliclibrary.org/events/ • Basement Renovation & Restoration • Bathroom Remodeling • All Aspects of Carpentry • Chimneys Rebuilt/Repaired • Roofing & Siding Installed/Repaired • Masonry Repairs • Foundation Leaks Repaired • Waterproofing • Interior Painting & Much More Free Estimates & Consultation Fully Licensed & Insured 617-955-5164 Toughbuildmasonry.com Johntoughbuild@gmail.com FURNISHED ROOM FOR RENT EVERETT Drake Maye and coach Mike Vrabel for turning the team around, sounding like a lot of fans in town. “I love Drake Maye, I love his wife,’’ Beaulieu said. “So I’m rooting for both of them.” Gabriella Galbadis is a student journalist in the Boston University Newsroom program. She is a student in Meghan Irons’ Reporting in Depth class. A FREEZING SCENE: Cold temperatures and high tides along with the full moon meant that ice almost reached the top of the dock at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) 1 bedroom, 1 bath furnished room for rent. $275. per week rent. Two week deposit plus 1 week rent required. Call: 617-435-9047 - NO TEXT
Page 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FrIDAy, FEBrUAry 6, 2026 REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS Copyrighted material previously published in Banker & Tradesman/The Commercial Record, a weekly trade newspaper. It is reprinted with permission from the publisher, The Warren Group. For a searchable database of real estate transactions and property information visit: www. thewarrengroup.com. BUYER1 Charles, Hadassah F Cudhea, Peter W Gautam, Omkar Rizza, Christopher E Salameh, Jacob A Constantinos “Costa” Agganis A ge 94, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his beloved famBUYER2 Charles, Esther L Giri, Neeva SELLER1 Babayants, Roman Morelli, Kathryn E Gould, Donna L James Francis Hayes RET Jarosz, Candy M ily on Sunday, February 1. A proud Greek immigrant, a devoted husband and father, and a deeply loving grandfather, Costa lived a life defined ~PUBLIC NOTICE~ SAUGUS CONTRIBUTORY RETIREMENT BOARD REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS The Saugus Contributory Retirement Board is considering the procurement of a qualified bank or financial institution to provide institutional custodial/master trust services. The Fund is valued at approximately $179 million. Individual contracts will be awarded and stated in accordance with M.G.L. Ch. 32 and all applicable guidelines administered by Public Employees Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC). The Board reserves the right to cancel or reject any of all proposals at its discretion. To obtain a copy of the RFP please email scrs@saugusretirement.org No phone calls please. RFPs may be obtained up to the proposal deadline. Proposal deadline is Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 12:00 PM EST. Board hours: Monday 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday – Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Fridays January 30, February 6, 2026 mental Protection Agency, what is BESS? 1. On Feb. 6, 1952, what king died while the heir to the throne was in a Kenyan forest treehouse? 2. What is The Mitten State and The Wolverine State: Maine, Michigan or Minnesota? 3. In New England in what month does maple syrup season usually begin? 4. On Feb. 7, 1914, “Kid Auto Races at Venice” aka The Pest, featuring Charlie Chaplin, was released; where is the Venice in the film located? 5. What in the U.S. Navy is called Seahawk? 6. For preparing for what 2026 event are there 500+ musicians and 182 original costumes? 7. February 8 is Super Bowl Sunday; what number is it: XXXVIII, LV or LX? 8. How many times is “begat” in the Bible: 55, 202 or 320? 9. According to the U.S. Environ10. On Feb. 9, 1942, who was born whose “You’ve Got a Friend” won Song of the Year in 1972? 11. What happens to the Boston Public Garden Swan Boats in winter? 12. In January 2026 the film “Cookie Queens” was released about what kind of cookies? 13. On Feb. 10, 2005, playwright Arthur Miller died; what play about sales did he write? 14. What city has the Rideau Canal Skateway — in winter the world’s largest skating rink? 15. How are glas, glace and eis SELLER2 Parker, Jill E Morelli, Richard E Obrien, Tiffany OBITUARIES by responsibility, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion to those he loved. A natural protector and provider, he carried the well-being of his family with quiet strength and pride. Born in 1931 in Logganiko, Sparta, Greece, he was the son of the late Stavros and Demetra (Papageorgakopoulos) Agganis. Costa’s early years were shaped by hardship, resilience, and strong values. He proudly served as an Evzone in the elite Greek Presidential Guard, an honor that reflected the discipline, dignity, and courage that guided him throughout his life. He left Greece with almost nothing, arriving first in Montreal. He worked as a custodian at McGill University, taking night shifts and doing whatever he needed to survive in a new country. And it was there that he met the woman who would become the love of his life, Niki. Their story began far from home, but together they built a life filled with love, faith, and family. Together, they immigrated to the United similar? 16. On Feb. 11, 1963, what TV cooking show premiered that was produced and broadcast in Boston? 17. What sport at the Winter Paralympics has heavy stones and teams on wheelchairs? 18. What word for a sled comes from Canadian French and Native American languages? 19. What is the women’s monobob at the Winter Olympics? 20. On February 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln was born; was he the keynote speaker for two hours at the dedication of Gettysburg National Cemetery? ADDRESS 6 Sim Rd #1 9 Broadway #305 10 Summer St 15 Shore Rd 5 Stanley Ter CITY Saugus Saugus Saugus Saugus Saugus DATE 01.12.26 01.15.26 01.14.26 01.16.26 01.14.26 PRICE 595000 505000 640000 333000 880000 States with their young family in 1969 to Lynn, determined to build a secure future. In 1974, Costa opened Hammersmith Family Restaurant in Saugus, which he and Niki built up through perseverance and hard work. The restaurant became a reflection of his values of commitment, hospitality, and family, and remains in family hands today. A man of deep faith, Costa lived with OBIT | SEE PAGE 13 ANSWERS 1. George VI (father of Elizabeth) 2. Michigan 3. Late February 4. It is a neighborhood in Los Angeles. 5. A helicopter 6. Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games 7. LX 8. 320 9. Battery Energy Storage Systems 10. Carole King 11. They are dismantled and taken to a location for storage and maintenance. 12. Girl Scout 13. “Death of a Salesman” 14. Ottawa 15. They are words meaning “ice” (in Haitian Creole, French and German/Luxembourgish, respectively) 16. “The French Chef” with Julia Child 17. Curling 18. Toboggan 19. Since 2022, a sliding competition with a single-seated bobsleigh 20. No; it was a former politician/famous orator, Edward “Ever-at-it” Everett, of Dorchester, Mass. (Lincoln spoke for two minutes.)
OBIT | FROM PAGE 12 humility and gratitude. He believed in honest work, integrity, and living life the right way by loving family fiercely and giving thanks to God for all he was given. Costa was a man who did not have the chance to get an education, but he had something far more powerful, grit. He grew up in a time when life was unforgiving, and every day demanded toughness, sacrifice, and heart. And he carried that Spartan heart everywhere he went. His hands, his work, his discipline, and his character told his story. He built a life from nothing because he refused to quit. Besides his beloved wife, Costa is survived by his devoted children: Stavros “Steve” Agganis and his wife Rena; Demetra Agganis-Politis and her husband Panagotis “Peter” Politis; and Evangelos “Angelo” Agganis and his wife Antigoni “Angie”. He took immense pride in the people his children became. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, for whom his joy was immeasurable: Aspasia “Stacey” Politis; Constantinos “Costa” Politis and his wife Demi; Konstandino “Kosta” Agganis; Gerrasimos “Gerry” Agganis; Nikolas “Niko” Agganis; and Konstantinos “Kosta” Agganis. He found his greatest happiness simply being present and watching over them, offering guidance, and surrounding them with love and encouragement. His family always knew they were safe, supported, and deeply loved. Costa also shared a strong and enduring bond with his siblings: Harry Agganis and his wife, Georgia of Ohio; Maria Stefanides of Ohio; Eleni Andronis of Ohio; Vasiliki Karalias of Ipswich; Christina Georgakopoulos of Greece; and his late siblings Evangelos Agganis, Athena Christopoulos, and Christos Agganis, all of whom he loved dearly and reClean-Outs! We take and dispose from cellars, attics, garages, yards, etc. Call Robert at: 781-844-0472 mained devoted to throughout his life. He was preceded in death by loved ones who now welcome him home. Above all else, Costa lived THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FrIDAy, FEBrUAry 6, 2026 ROUNDUP | FROM PAGE 7 throughout. Shaw noted the team’s composure despite the for his family and extended family, all of whom were fortunate to have known and loved him. Constantinos Agganis leaves behind a powerful legacy of love, faith, protection, generosity, and pride in his family. Though he will be deeply missed, his spirit lives on in the generations he cherished most. May his memory be eternal. Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 54 S. Common St., Lynn, MA, on Friday, February 6th, 2026, from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Interment Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 54 S. Common St, Lynn, MA 01902. lopsided score. “We were moving the puck with confidence, and played our game the whole time,” Shaw said. “They composed themselves appropriately the whole time and moved the puck the best I’ve seen yet.” John Morello of Saugus recorded a four-point night; Kelly added three points; Brandon Barone of Peabody provided steady leadership as a captain; and Cam Gold of Swampscott scored the first goal of his varsity career on a blast from the point. TRACK: NEC PODIUMS AND DEPTH Saugus track athletes turned in strong perforThe Kid Does Clean Outs From 1 item to 1,000 * Basements * Homes * Backyards * Commercial Buildings The cheapest prices around! Call Eric: (857) 322-2854 Frank Berardino MA License 31811 • 24 - Hour Service • Emergency Repairs BERARDINO Plumbing & Heating Residential & Commercial Service Gas Fitting • Drain Service 617.699.9383 Senior Citizen Discount American Exterior and Window Corporation Contact us for all of your home improvement projects and necessities. Call Jeff or Bob Toll Free: 1-888-744-1756 617-699-1782 / www.americanexteriorma.com Windows, Siding, Roofing, Carpentry & More! All estimates, consultations or inspections completed by MA licensed supervisors. *Over 50 years experience. *Better Business Bureau Membership. Insured and Registered Complete Financing Available. No Money Down. Page 13 mances at the NEC Championships, led by Destiny Okoye capturing first place in the girls 55-meter hurdles. Okoye also placed third in the girls high jump, while Victoria Silva Santos earned second in the same event. Additional highlights included Soraya Mathieu finishing fifth in the girls 55 dash and Pharaoh BUDGET SERVICES RUBBISH REMOVAL * Interior-Exterior Demolition Bathroom/Kitchen/Decks, Etc. * All Types of Debris Removed * Pick-up Truck Load of Trash starting at $239. ~ Licensed & Insured ~ Call (978) 494-3443 Brandenburg placing fifth in the boys high jump. Both the boys and girls 4x200 relay teams earned eighth-place finishes. Camy’s Home Improvement 781-813-5971 Painting, Drywall & Wall Repair February Special $300 a Room (Stock not included) APARTMENTS FOR RENT www.mastrocola.com We follow Social Distancing Guidelines!
Page 14 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FrIDAy, FEBrUAry 6, 2026 Get your Mortgage Winterized with Beyond Financing, Inc. Warmer rates @ www.beyondfinancing.com Powered by Finley Concierge Beyond Financing, Inc. Licensed in CA-CT-FL-MA-NH-NC-RI-SC-TX • Purchase • Refinance • Investment 999 Broadway, Suite 500-N, Saugus-MA 01906 www.BEYONDFINANCING.COM 857.410.1391 NMLS ID: 2394496 IN CA, CT & MA: Mortgage Broker Only, not a Mortgage Lender or Mortgage Correspondent Lender. In FL, NH, NC, RI, SC & TX: Mortgage Broker and Correspondent Lender. Loans are available fairly and equally regardless of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, military status, disability, or ancestry. TRINITY REAL ESTATE 321 MAIN STREET | SAUGUS, MA | VILLAGE PARK TrinityHomesRE.com 28 Osprey Rd., Saugus 01906 - Commercial Rental List Price: $3,000 Listed by: Patricia Torcivia Cell: 781.820.0974 A 2 story building in Prime Location with the 2nd level unit available for rental office space to sublet consisting of approximately 4000 sq ft of 7 furnished offices and a designated kitchen along with 2 restrooms. Upon entering the unit you are greeted into a Large foyer entrance that opens into a spacious reception room which leads to a huge spacious office that leads out to a long hallway consisting of another 4 offices (2 smaller offices and 2 ex lg) and a designated kitchen that includes a refrigerator along the hallway is a men and women restrooms....rental price includes all utilities (Heat/electric/AC/water) .Move-in condition...office furniture included...Wi-Fi negotiable Easy access to Rt 99 near Lowe's and Rt C-1 exit in front of building... Available Jan 1,2026 7 Adams Avenue, Saugus, MA 01906 List Price: $589,900 Listed by Lori Johnson: Cell: 781.718.7409 Inviting 6-room Colonial offering a warm and welcoming feel with nicely updated features throughout. The renovated eat-in kitchen boasts quartz countertops, tile backsplash, stylish laminate flooring, skylight, walk-in pantry, and stainless steel appliances. A spacious, sun-filled living room opens to the formal dining room featuring a charming built-in hutch, adding period character. The second floor offers three bedrooms (one without a closet) and a nicely updated full bath. Additional features include hardwood flooring, mini-split ductless A/C, front and back porches, and a fenced yard with patio area. Conveniently located near public transportation, Saugus Center, Cliftondale Square, schools, Route 1 shopping and dining, and just 20 minutes to Boston.de in-unit laundry in the basement & two-car parking 781.231.9800 230 Broadway, #2, Lynn 01904 - Rental Rental List Price: $2,400 Listed by: Patricia Torcivia Cell: 781.820.0974 A freshly painted 2nd floor apartment consisting of a 5 Room/2 Bedroom owner occupied house that is located in a desirable area near Wyoma Square... Features include lots of cabinet space in the kitchen with electric stove, new refrigerator, tiled floor and a walk through that leads to an open dining room/living room with hardwood floors and natural woodwork with built-in china cabinet.. two bedrooms and a newer bathroom with tiled floor finish off this great layout with closet space and hardwood floors in the bedroom as well...covered parking for one car under the carport and front and rear porches for sitting outdoors...Available for Feb 1..Must have good references..1st month rent, last month rent, and one month security deposit is required at signing a one year lease. 123 Arnold Ave., Revere, MA 02151 List Price: $569,000 Listed by: Michael Foulds Cell: 617.461.1952 Check out this prime location. Bring your vision to this spacious property offering a great opportunity for investors, flippers, or buyers seeking an opportunity to add value. This 5 bedroom, 2 bath home is the ideal canvas for renovation and customization to make it your own. The layout includes a main living level offering a living room, large kitchen, seasonal sunroom, 4 bedrooms and full bath. Plus, there is an additional 1 bedroom extended living area with additional living room and 2nd full bath on the second floor for in-laws, guests or your own main bedroom suite. Set high on an oversized lot, the home enjoys seasonal city views and excellent natural light and privacy. Ample off street parking on a large lot for potential expansion. Providing Real Estate Services for Nearly Two Decades Servicing Saugus, Melrose, Wakefield, Medford, Malden, Everett, all North Shore communities, Boston and Beyond. Commercial Rental FOR RENT FOR SALE FOR SALE
THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FrIDAy, FEBrUAry 6, 2026 Page 15
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